Phyllis (Wenzlick) Wells

Phyllis (Wenzlick) Wells, 77, of Kearney, formerly of Elm Creek, passed away May 4, 2024 at Brookstone Gardens in Kearney surrounded by family following a brief battle with cancer. Funeral Services will be 10:30 am, May 13, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney with Pastor DeLoach and Pastor Gaunt officiating. The burial will follow the service at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, May 12, 2024 at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Elm Creek Fire and Rescue, Zion Lutheran School, or Merryman Performing Arts Center. Phyllis Marie was born on May 24, 1946 to Lawrence and Ileene (Stover) Wenzlick in Kearney, Nebraska. She grew up as the middle child on a farm north of Kearney and attended and graduated in the 8th grade from Rural District 88. She graduated with the Class of 1964 from Kearney High School. She was baptized and confirmed and remained a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney. She was active in 4-H and cherished many memories and friendships playing softball for Haven’s Chapel. She met her husband, Lee, while employed by the Buffalo County Extension Services and Weed District. On September 18, 1965 Phyllis married Lee W. Wells at Zion Lutheran Church. They made their home in Kearney until 1967 when they moved to their home on Easy Street in Elm Creek. They moved to Kearney in 2020. Phyllis and Lee were blessed with four children: Sheri, Cindi, Steven and Mandi. She was a stay at home mom attending her children’s activities and a 4-H leader for many years. She enjoyed attending the neighborhood country coffees, her card club and was a member of the Westside Club. In June 1987, she returned to work in the offices at Agrex Grain Elevator in Elm Creek and retired as an accounting assistant for KAAPA Grains Elevator (formerly Agrex Inc) in May 2013. She enjoyed retirement, which allowed her to follow her grandchildren’s activities and work in her yard. Family meant a lot to her. Phyllis and Lee enjoyed bus tours and were inaugural Storm hockey season ticket holders. Growing up playing the accordion, she enjoyed music, most recently attending more performances at the Merryman Performing Arts Center and Harmon Park. Left to cherish her memory are her children: son, Steven (Jessica) of Lincoln; daughters, Sheri (Brian) Rumbeck, Amherst, Cindi (Jeff) Richter and Mandi Blessing, Kearney; grandchildren, Isaac (Mikaela) Richter of West Point, IA, Rachel (Kyle) Andersen, Omaha, Christian and Eli Richter of Kearney, Karlie Rumbeck, Oberlin, KS, Austyn and Bladen Rumbeck of Amherst, Ashleigh Welch and Colton Wells, Lincoln, Tyson, Anthony and Blake Wilbur and Trevor Blessing of Kearney; great grandchildren Adalyn and Merrick Richter, West Point; sister, Shirley Hazzard of Elkhorn; brother Douglas (Joan) Wenzlick, Imperial, brother-in-law, Larry Wells, Elm Creek; nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Lee in May 2023, her grandparents, parents, and in-laws, Charles and Irene Wells, brother-in-law, Robert Hazzard, and many treasured aunts and uncles.

Tributes

Phyllis (Wenzlick) Wells

May 24, 1946 - May 4, 2024